Fuji X-H1 vs X-T2

The Fujifilm X-H1 is the top of the line camera in Fuji’s X-series line-up. But before its release, the Fuji X-T2 was arguably the most feature-rich choice and certainly a popular mirrorless cameras among many enthusiast and professional photographers. As a current or prospective X-T2 owner, or potentially as someone interested in the new Fuji X-H1, you might be wondering how it compares to the X-T2 in terms of features, ergonomics and specifications. We have put together this X-H1 and X-T2 comparison specifically to help you make the right choice, so let’s get started!

As always, it is important to note that this comparison is based purely on technical specifications and released product images. We have not had a chance to use the X-H1, but we have reviewed the Fuji X-T2 in detail. First, let’s take a look at the two side-by-side in a table comparison:

While most of the specifications between the two cameras are very similar, there are some important and very distinct feature differences worth pointing out. First of all, the Fuji X-H1 has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which is the first of its kind on X-series cameras. That alone is something that many photographers will argue make the X-H1 worth getting, since it can stabilize all X-series lenses. Lenses that do not have optical stabilization can get up to 5.5 stops of stabilization, whereas OIS-equipped lenses will get the best of two worlds depending on their OIS design and focal length. With stabilized lenses, the X-H1 is going to be far more usable than the X-T2 when shooting in low-light situations, making it a superb choice for street, event and travel photography.

Next, the Fuji X-H1 has a dual processor that allows for more throughput to allow more robust 4K video recording, less blackout time, faster focusing and faster overall operation of the camera. The camera also drives a 3.69 MP electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is superior to the one on the X-T2, although it does lose a little bit of magnification at 0.75x vs 0.77x on the X-T2.

Another distinct feature is the electronic front curtain shutter (EFCS), which can completely eliminate camera shake originating from the mechanical shutter – a feature that Fuji had previously only made available on the medium format Fuji GFX 50S camera. As explained in the linked article, EFCS can be extremely useful in many situations and I consider it to be a very important feature on a modern digital camera. In fact, EFCS along with IBIS are the two main reasons why I will be personally purchasing the Fuji X-H1…

Next, we come to video recording features. While the Fuji X-T2 had impressive 4K video recording features at the time it was released, the X-H1 pushes those features to the next level. In addition to all the standard 4K video recording options, the X-H1 can now shoot video at much higher bandwidths, up to 200 Mbps and its recording limit is capped at 15 minutes without a battery pack, and up to 30 minutes with a battery grip. Those who like to color-grade their videos can do that with the Internal F-Log feature, also something that previously did not exist on the X-T2. Unfortunately, the X-H1 still does not have a headphone input for video recording – it is only provided on the battery grip, just like on the X-T2. For shooting indoors, the X-H1 is equipped with a flicker-reduction feature, which does not exist on the X-T2.

The LCD is still the same 3.0″ diagonal with 1.04 million dots, but the X-H1 now has a touchscreen feature, which is certainly nice to have when viewing images, focusing or navigating the camera menu. Lastly, The X-H1 also comes with built-in Bluetooth and 1 extra film simulation mode called “Eterna”.

Ergonomic Changes

Aside from the above-mentioned feature differences, there are also important ergonomic changes. Take a look at the below comparison of the cameras from the top:

As you can see, the changes in ergonomics are significant. The Fuji X-H1 is like a mini GFX-50S, with its large and comfortable grip and a beautiful LCD display on the right side. Fuji removed the exposure compensation dial and put it into a smaller button to the right of the shutter release / camera on-off button. Personally, I really like this change, because that’s how Nikon DSLRs are organized as well and I am very used to dialing exposure compensation with a button. The large LCD screen is wonderful and it is fully customizable, so you can make it display only the information you care about.

The back of the camera also saw some heavy changes:

Fuji wanted photographers to be able to use gloves with the X-H1, so they made buttons larger and spaced them out a bit. This is another welcome change, because the buttons on X-series cameras are often too small to comfortable use with gloves on. The joystick is separated a bit and put a bit closer to the top of the camera, which should make it comfortable to use with the thumb. My personal favorite is the new dedicated AF-ON button and its excellent placement. Using the focus and recompose technique with the X-H1 is going to be a pure joy!

Obviously, all of these ergonomic changes made the X-H1 larger and heavier compared to the X-T2. The X-H1 is 166 grams heavier and noticeably larger compared to the X-T2. While for some photographers this might not be desirable, I personally welcome a more comfortable camera to hand-hold, even at the expense of slightly larger size and heavier weight.

Overall, the X-H1 looks like an incredible camera with a lot of great new features and a much more polished look and ergonomics. At $1,899 it is not a cheap camera by any means, but that’s what you pay to get the top-of-the-line Fuji X-series camera…

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About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram, 500px and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

1) Romicom

February 15, 2018 at 1:37 am

These are evolutionary and welcome improvements on the already excellent Xt2. The addition of IBIS really points out to the fact that Fuji really listens to its customers. This is good positioning of Fuji in the APS-C sensor market. I am confident the image quality from this sensor will be as Fuji as always ….

The XH1 has a ton of improvements the make it a real photographers (and videographers) camera, I especially welcome IBIS, the larger size, larger buttons and finally the exposure compensation dial has gone and can be dialled in now like on Nikon cameras. Also the EVF is a very welcome and needed improvement. And not to forget the video improvements!

What I do not like is the use of the old batteries, I think the XH1 would have significantly benefited from the GFX battery, although that would have further increased the (grip) size.

Overall I am really getting serious about jumping into the Fuji X system again ?

Something I still wonder is, why x-trans sensors have a 200 base iso? Surely it can’t be because of it being an aps-c sensor since the d3200 I currently use has a base iso of 100, so is there a specific reason for it? I can’t help being a bit disappointed as we’ve all seen how good an iso64 can be and not having an iso100 is a bit of a bummer.

The ISO scale starts at 0 and goes to 4,000,000 (4 million). The NIkon D3200 has ISO sensitivity from 100 to 6400. The Fuji X-T2 has ISO sensitivity from ISO200 to 12800. That’s the same number of stops (6). Which range would you rather have?

I’d prefer the range to optimized at the lower end, preferably at ISO 50. It’s better for studio work and when in bright outdoor conditions and I almost never shoot above 3200 even when doing night photography.

This model looks great with regards to the bigger dimensions, but surely they should have upped the battery life using the larger grip space, if this is a ‘Pro’ model. [Although what I’ve noticed over the years is that any product that has to use the moniker ‘Pro’ is definitely not a professional instrument!].

Most likely the X-H2 (which is probably already built) will have a 1,000 shot battery.

Thank you for the detail review. I borrowed a friend X-T2 and a 100-400 mm lens for bird in flight photography. Comparing to Canon IDX, the AF is considerably slower to track and lock. Hopefully XH-1 is much improved.

Unless being extremely familiar with both AF system, Canon and Fuji respectively, borrowing is not enough. Yes, the X-T2 is slower but not by that much with proper setting, which comes after a certain number of hours of trial and error. My keeping rate is greater with the XT2 than it was with the 7D but I recognize Canon AF was superior. Many side details made the mirrorless world more appealing to me, no longer lenses to recalibrate for back/front focus is one example. I agree with Nassim on the ergonomic, the tiny buttons made me crazy, and this change is really welcome, I which the X-T3 will get some of this and keeping the lightweight body, as well as the exposure compensation dial. Fuji seems to continue listening a lot to their user base, this is great!

It is slower. I used the combo for a year. Fuji has made great strides on AF but it’s nowhere near as accurate or reliable on continuous AF tracking an object as a top-end DSLR. There are various technical reasons for it (PDAF vs dedicated AF module, quality of data given to phase detect, algorithms, requirement to use a CDAF, etc.)

Agree with the Nikon and Canon PDAFs perform better in AF lock and tracking. That is to be expected since they have been refining this for a long time. There are lots of extra features are packed into top of the line bodies that allow them to survive in low temperatures and low light conditions. In time the sensors with build-in PD will catch up and likely to surpass the older PDAFs (DSLR) and provide higher frame rates (as shown in Sony FF bodies). In practice, these mirrorless camera should be more robust without all the moving parts and cheaper to manufacture. But there is still lots of work to get there. Nasium posted a very informative article “Mirrorless versus dSLR”.

I will continue to follow Fuji’s development as they listen to their customers and their optics are excellent.

Thanks for a good review. My primary reason for wanting this camera is to use my fantastically sharp 90mm lens, at slower hand held speeds with the IBIS. At the moment I typically use 1/500 for the best sharpness, I only hope that IBIS does not degrade the image quality of the lens I consider to be Fujis sharpest lens. Having said that, increasing the speed and accuracy of the AF, larger much needed AF buttons, a dampened shutter and a superior evf are a bonus for me.

With the 90mm you can safely use 1/250s. There is a rule, which works, that tells to use a speed conversely proportionnal to the focal length used (converted to 35mm film format). So, 90mm is equivalent to the field of view of a 135mm focal length, so you can shoot static subjects at 1/135s without getting your own shaking, as far as you stand still. I have shot portraits at evening with the 90mm at 1/60s : with proper arm position and static subject you can get tack sharp pictures in low light situation without exceeding 2000 ISO (check my web site, I shoot Fuji with 56mm and 90mm since august 2017 : www.jeremybelinphoto.com).

Hi Michael, Did you ever make the swap to the XH1? If so, did the IBIS help with your 90mm? I love that lens, but have been using the 50-140 more because of the OIS in the 50-140. But the lens is big and the OIS motor is a battery eater!

In fact they will, it depends on the combo of the lens being used. There is some illustration on FujiRumors, hoping these are real, the 50-140 could get some improvment depending on the extra room of the circle provided by the lens and the axis covered by in-lens OIS:www.fujirumors.com/fujif…-handheld/

I like new features but don’t like the continued increase in weight. The reason I purchased a Fuji camera was the small form factor so I could easily take it mountain biking and skiing. I hope they keep making weather sealed X series cameras that aren’t too big and heavy. I know the full frame lenses are much heavier and bigger than APS-C but the bodies are getting close to Nikon D750 weight. Waiting to see what the XT3 weight ends up at. Fuji XT1 435 grams Fuji XT2 507 grams (XT2 is .15 pounds heavier than XT1) Fuji XH1 673 grams (XH1 is .37 pounds heavier than xt2 and .52 pounds heavier than the XT1) Nikon D750 755 grams Nikon D7500 720 grams

Jay, I thought about it but am pretty invested in Fuji lenses and the XT2 isn’t all that heavy or big. I just don’t like the bigger trend. Fuji has plenty of smaller good cameras but no weather sealing. They seem like a smart company so I figure they will keep some bodies smaller.

You’re right, my eyes wide opened when I read “XT2 : 4.9cm depth, XH1 : 8.5cm depth”. This can’t be a replacement for X-T2, so does its name justify it. It’s a new camera line in Fuji’s offer. I come from Nikon, with gripped D750 and several primes notably the big 105mm f/1.4, so we were talking about 2Kg in hand all day long. I switch to Fuji for : 1) the 2 dials, 2) the compactness.

The new XH1 is closer to Nikon or Canon APS-C DSLRs. Not a bad thing necessary, but not the same product, and as far as Fuji keeps it’s premium XT line I will be very happy.

Hi Jeremy, the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 is a lens, that performs very very well. (photographylife.com/revie…05mm-f1-4e). How could you abandon this lens, once you owned it? :-) Do you get comparable results with your Fuji system? What would you recommend?

If today I had to choose between X-T2 and that one, I would spend the extra money.

But so far the evolutionary steps are not enough for me although I see and appreciate the couple of steps in the right direction. You won’t get mine, Khürt, but I understand people with a video focus to go for it.

I’m curious and would like to try one for one or two hours, but I still miss some kind of option to save user settings. I also miss a fully articulated screen like Olympus and Canon and some Nikon D5xxx have onboard, but what I’m most afraid of: All this new functions and gimmicks will need space and order in the UI – and that’s one of Fuji’s weak spots in my eyes. Some seldom used settings I have to dive in for a while and sometimes end up heading for the PDF on my tablet.

This is an hefty camera body. This should be great to use with some of fuji’s 2.8 zoom lenses, or the larger primes. It is crazy how a camera body can make the lens “feels” large or small. My 70-200 f4 felt perfect on my 70D, but my smaller 55-200 feels largish on my X-T20.

They have a good camera choice now, from the smaller X-T20 to the larger X-H1, all sporting the same excellent image quality! Add to that the increasing selection of very good lenses to fit the different sizes and needs. With a system so vivid, I am an happy Fuji user :)

I couldn’t agree more. I can’t help but smile (grimace?) as the size and weight of mirrorless/APS-C slowly creep up with each new model. I bought the XE-2 as good quality grab and go camera. I love the features of the XT-2 and X-H1 but with a battery pack and a fast prime or zoom attached, they make quite a lump negating much of their original raison d’etre. There seems to a sweet spot where a camera ‘fits’ the hand and is not too fiddly which is why so many previous compact models have slowly evolved to this common size. Even the size and arrangement of the controls and buttons have gravitated to a similar general pattern and arrangement. Now I’m waiting for Fuji to abandon the slow and fiddly ‘retro’ shutter speed and compensation dials and aperture ring in favour of command dials. Or is that heresy?

Yes, it’s definitely a good idea to check the likely lenses you are going to use when trying a new body. Over the weekend I demoed the X-H1 for the first time and was actually surprised how small it is, even with the grip. I had the idea that it would be more massive given the change from the X-T2, but I personally found it still too small with sizeable lenses. It felt ok with the 18-55 kit-lens, but anything bigger was front heavy. I hope the subsequent X-H2 is the ‘standard’ 146-50mm wide for a pro body, which would allow a decent battery too. I fully appreciate that won’t be the case for everyone however.

An additional disappointment for me was the EVF. Whilst it is certainly hi-res and fairly fast to respond, once again a common problem with EVFs arose when using it indoors: the screen cannot cope at all with contrasty light. Dark objects were completely black and featureless, whilst at the same time light objects were completely blown. Compared to any OVF, it is not useable in such conditions. I suppose you are meant to use the rear screen indoors, or switch to HDR mode (?).

Looks like about the same specs as the Pentax K-3 that came out 4 years ago. Same megapixel finally. But copying the axis image stabilization. But of course this is the mirrorless rather than the Pentax SLR. The size is the big issue with this camera. How badly does someone want a mirrorless camera that weighs as much as a SLR? The 4/3 format is coming on strongly as the go to format at this time that combines size, quality, ease of use and the right price!

Up the ISO a little on the XT2, shoot at a shutter speed suitable for the focal length and subject and you really don’t need IBIS. If the light is low use flash or wider aperture lenses such as the 1.4 primes. IBIS is great for video but I for one would rather get a dedicated video camera if that was my thing. Duel processors is cool, as is front curtain shutter, but again these are luxuries rather than necessities. Save your money, keep your XT2’s and don’t buy into marketing hype.

I am a Nikon shooter but have experimented with Fugi. I bought a 100-400 mm lens. I have used it on my T10,T20 and and a friends T2. The ergonomics are bad but when the stars align, the images are awesome. The ergonomics of the H1 look they have solved the problem! I may just order one!

This is true. I attended a presentation by Fuji Guy Billy Luong and it was explained that the X-H1 has the same processor and sensor as the X-T2 but because of its larger heat sink the X-Processor Pro on the X-H1 is working harder. The IBIS system has dedicated dual processors.

So I guess we also need to buy a battery grip as the battery life on Fuji sucks. They really need to address this before I slap the best part of $2k on the table. I like my X-T2 and will keep it but if the battery life could be better I would have gone for the slightly larger body. I find the X-T2 fiddly for back-button focus. I’ll sit tight and see what the X-T3 offers.

Correct. 300 clicks per battery is terrible – like a kids camera. You’ll need to spend $400 for the grip and two spare batteries to make it barely acceptable 900 clicks. Any serious day’s shooting will need a further 3 batteries, so that’s 6 batteries to keep charged! Unbelievable when you consider battery tech was sorted 10 years ago (D300/700/7D etc); I guess it’s where the biggest margins are to be made.

I just sold my 5D mk II and all lenses after buying an xt20 and 18-55 kit lens, Then picked up a 55-230. Its a hard crossover from L series lenses and a big body, but – its what I did when I shifted from Nikon film cameras to Canon digital many years ago. Thing is, the depth of the menu options are making the changeover difficult.

The thing that sold me is simply the extraordinary way Fuji handles its JPEG processing and the superb sensor. Soo — with that said, I will pick up one of these bodies in 6 months or so – after I have mastered the XT20. Its not the size that changed me over as it is for many, it was the quality of the photos. I am good with a larger body as the 5D weighed in at 810 grams – so this is still a lightweight in comparison.

I think Fuju is working towards what so many of us that have shot for decades want – and they don’t seem to hold back as Canon and Nikon do in regards to quality of sensor – sooo – lets see how the ride goes.

Mahalo to Fuji for making such amazing machines. Now I have to move up to their potential.

I’m also planning to move on from my 5D Mark II and current set of lenses (portrait, fixed focal length lenses) and buy an easier-to-carry-to-more-places sized package with more landscape-biased (wider) focal lengths as well as a good all-purpose zoom. Of course, I’m used to the image quality I get from my 5D mII and L-lenses. I was thinking of the XT-2 and now am intrigued by XH-1 with its IBIS, improved low-light autofocus, improved shutter dampening… basically the tech that allows sharper images in challenging situations (low-light, hand-held, subject-in-motion). since you came from the same gear I have I’d appreciate any put you might have.

If I still had my Fuji kit I would probably upgrade to this as it looks better in ergonomics than the X-T2. I liked the retro style for a while but I’m glad to see some of this faux retro going away. The exposure compensation wheel was annoying. I always had it in C anyway to control by dial. The problem for Fuji is that they have a very mixed up hardware user interface:

(Yes, I know the reasons for some of these, it’s the inconsistencies…) 1. Some lenses have marked aperture dials, some do not, one has none 2. Some lenses have push-pull manual focus, most do not 3. Some lenses have hard stops on aperture dials, some do not 4. Some cameras have a C for exposure compensation, some do not, some don’t have a dial 5. Some have an ISO dial that works one way, others another way 6. Some use a joystick for focus, some use a 4 way controller 7. The cameras can lie to you on your settings because there are half/third steps you can choose between shutter speed dial positions or there are modes that let you bypass what’s selected

And some other stuff. I really like Fuji, otherwise I wouldn’t have used them for 3 years, but they have created an awful overloaded system. And now that so many function buttons can be overloaded with different functionality… it is very hard to keep up with all the possible options.

Fuji X-H1 does not have dual “X-Processor Pro” processors …it is a dual processor -always has been; exactly same as XT2 hence no 4k 60p etc (It is an Arm processor). A pity as bigger battery and more powerful processor would have made this much more attractive. As a video focussed camera I don’t really see it challenging Sony or Panasonic for video.

Lovely review! One thing to point out for the video part. The XH-1 can shoot 100fps and 120fps played back in different frame rates for slowmotion.

Also if you need to shoot in autofocus for video it has been improved much better than other Fujifilm cameras (but still not the best to depend on iffff someone might be interested in using autofocus.) But I am sure Fujifilm will work on making it better with future firmware updates as always!

Nikon D600 user here, with a Sigma 35/1.4 and four current model Nikkors, along with an SB-910 flash. I also have a Fuji X100s, and like it for some uses, however the focusing system is too slow for active people (grandkids!). Actually, the 5+ year old Nikon D600 isn’t much better!

I’ve been eyeing the mirrorless market for a few years, waiting to make a move.

Imo, Fuji has created the best set of mirrorless lenses, other than super-teles. Sure, they have some inconsistencies in ergonomics as pointed out above, as do camera bodies. But then, so do most other makers products over time.

If I had to make a choice today, I would get a Sony A7R-III, which is slightly smaller and lighter than the new Fuji X-H1, including battery weight, even though the new Sony battery has far more capacity. Yes, I know it costs $1300 more than the Fuji, but that would be my choice today. The A7R-III’s extra resolution isn’t a priority for me, and an A7-III at lower cost would be fine (if it were available…)

So, I will wait for Nikon’s mirrorless products in APS and full-frame. I expect Nikon will have a good lens adapter from the beginning, so I can use my existing Nikkors. The Sigma 35/1.4 will probably need an update via the USB dock.

Nassim, by the way, the Fuji X-H1 apparently has USB 3.0. You might want to check the specs again as I think you had it listed as USB 2.0.

USB 3.0 and the body is charged by this socket – that was a pleasant surprise to me. Charged like in “every decent powerbank or USB adapter can charge the camera”. That’s something so simple and we Nikon users can only dream of. :)

It’s an X-T2, not an XP2. There are tons of new features in the new body, even if you don’t see it. To talk about “same specs” is sloppy, at best. Maybe you read only until the part with 24 MP? X-T2 and X-H1 already do have USB-3 onboard. If you don’t believe, check the first hand specs from Fuji.

Or: How hard would it be for Fuji to get the bigger GFX50S battery into the already bigger X-H1 body? One of the great thing about Fuji or Nikon is that there are only few types of batteries for a lot of bodies.

Getting the bigger NP-T125 battery of GFX into X-H1 would have made sense to me. Or at least getting these batteries into the grip (as Nikon does with two kinds of batteries in their grips -and if I add AA-types, it’s 3 kinds).

The battery life is lower than many but it lends to the convenience of charging while connected to the USB port which I use to transfer photos (I don’t want to risk damaging the SD card socket long term). When I turn the camera off, the battery charges. If I’m in a hurry, I will use the supplied charger. A larger capacity battery would place it outside of the USB spec for charging. For me this a great compromise.

Also, it is convenient that so many of their cameras use the same charger/battery including me old X-T2 and my wife’s X-T20 IMHO.

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